Hi John, always clear and perfect explanations :)

Like this series of videos a lot! Makes me want to get in mine and floor it..... just for scientific purposes of course.....

Great informative video as usual. I have just retired and wanted to use my pension windfall £50k budget to change my 1998 XKR (my 2nd XK). Considered lots of different cars on a bucket list, and what have I just bought? A low mileage 2005 XKR-S. Obviously I love this model, (so that's 3 in a row) but I also really couldn't bear to lose my relevance in following TTG !!!

Sometimes i think i am out of my depth,then you make it sound simple,cheers again john

Great video and again I learned something new about the secrets of the XK8 - thanks John!

Superb !

The S mode on two of my cars (‘95 X300 and ‘05 S-Type) has very seldom been used. Can that explain why I cannot feel a difference in RPM build-up when switching from normal to S mode? In other words, is the S option totally dormant? If so is there a simple way to wake it up (like fast cornering, rapid acceleration etc)?

Accepted I have a different gearbox, but to me activating aport and driving slowly still results in the gear shift points increasing. I therefore leave sport off.

Do you have any experience with balljoints on these cars? My 01 XJ8 has had most of the front suspension redone except for the lower balljoints. When I hit a bump or a dip there is a sound. It could be the control arm bushings or it could be the balljoint. I just wondered if you had any experience in know which.

Great video as per the norm - my XKR doesn't seem to light up in the gear selector as you mentioned. My car also has an issue since I've owned her (4yrs now). In around 4rd or 5th (mine is 6 speed) whereby when it shifts into 4th or 5th (I'm not sure which gear actually) under reasonable acceleration (say 50% load) there is somewhat of a clunkiness or slippage type feel upon engagement. The noise is hard to describe but you can also feel it. It's kind of like the feel of a dodgy U Joint/driveshaft or diff-type thing - really hard to describe but it kind of feels like it's to the rear. I should probably record it on video - now there's an idea!. This only occurs when I give it around 50% oomph mind you - when I really floor her it's not really noticeable at all - mind you when floored in that gear range I can easily get up to 180kph or faster so it might not even be reaching that gear! 😉 200kph is easily reached - on a track of course 😝. It's hard to tell what gear you're in really even while driving manually as the electronics do override somewhat it seems. I'm guessing it's one of those actuator thingees (yeah real technical speak showing now lol) that may be the issue but who knows - I don't want to get it looked at because it will probably involve another mortgage top-up 😁 Another trans issue is when in Sport mode only - coming to a semi-stop at say a Give Way sign whilst still rolling she bangs into first when you re-accelerate. That is nasty and frankly rather embarrassing - only in S though. Any transmission expert please comment! 😨😲😁 Keep up your great videos John - they continue to help me immensely in my journey with my lovely XKR!

2000 XK8 won’t switch out of sport mode (light in switch won’t turn off). Will this gearbox reset fix this or is it a separate issue that needs dealing with? Thanks for all the informative videos. You’re a life saver.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain when and how one is to use the 2, 3, 4 choices on the left of the 'u'.

I live in Atlanta, and with these beautiful gears and this chaotic traffic, I have yet to use these other gears on my XKR....😒

Hey john... is chris from USA....what is the button next to the sport button for? Thanks...all answers welcome....also what transmission oil/fluid is good for this trans....?...I was thinking of using Valvoline max life. Bc that fluid they call for is really expensive...any thoughts.?

In XJR 308 in D gearbox work from second gear. In sport, first gear are avaliable

Tell me John, do you ever left foot brake in the Jags? I started doing it years ago and it eventually becomes second nature. I find that it means you can balance the drivetrain when downchanging manually for even smoother shifts. In effect, it’s a bit like heel and toe in a manual. The only problem I’ve ever had with this technique is in VAG machines which won’t allow brake and throttle applications simultaneously. I do it in the MB as well, but it’s not so necessary as the 9G transmission really works so well with the engine management that the throttle blips it provides are pretty seamless anyway.

What is the other button for?

I’m not sure my 04 4.2 has a kick down. I found a plastic switch that seems to fit under the pedal but there is no electrical connection to it. It’s in the glovebox now.

My sport mode light is always on. Could never get it to turn off. One of these days going to have to pull the cover and check out the switch.

Where did you read all that? 😂. I’m not convinced of any connection between the sports button and the CATS suspension on these generation Jags.

I've always wondered if placing the gearbox in neutral whilst rolling down hill (to save fuel) will damage it. Anyone have any ideas on the issue?

...waiting for news... hi john !

I don't think the video is quite right about sport mode. My '97 XK8 definitely shifts differently with sport mode armed even when driving calmly and in a straight line.

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